Alright, now that the majority of us are done with our annual beat downs of the FBS its time for the real season to start. Montana vs. NDSU EWU vs Montana State UNI vs NoCo JMU vs Nova UNH vs Richmond Wofford GWU going to learn a lot about several teams around FCS this weekend.
Tag Archives | Eastern Washington
FINALS
Merry Christmas ya filthy animals, quick one before I take off for the Christmas week. Our Championship is set, on one side we have the juggernaut that is the Bizon of NDSU. On the other the underdogs of Towson, who traveled across the country to take out the BSC champ Eastern Washington. Should be a good one will the Bizon three-peat or will Towson spoil Bohls’ going away party?
The Blog went 2-0 last week bringing a predict record to 15-6 or a 71 percent pick rate. Not to shabby.
The blog has picked NDSU every week of the playoffs and we are riding this train down the line, NDSU 35-Towson-27. Merry Christmas!
Semis Week
Alright Boys and Girls Its Semi’s week-A little love for the CAA, two of the four semis teams, including a “bubble” team that squeaked in. Congrats! You have shown that when it comes to crunch time you guys are ready. So I was watching the Towson-EIU game, and I was incredibly impressed with Towson’s running attack this guy was just running over the EIU D, his numbers prior to half were ridiculous. It really seemed to me like Towson has its game together.
Predicts:13-6 and 3-1 last week.
NDSU over UNH
Twoson over EWU-This one I have really gone back and forth on.
Have a wonderful holiday yall
Playoff Breakdown
Alright here are my playoff predicts:(top four are seeds-everyone else just who is in)
1.North Dakota State
2.Montana State
3.Old Dominion
4.UNH
5.Eastern Washington
6.Cal Poly
7.Wofford
8.Georgia Southern
9.Lehigh
10.Southern Arkansas
11.Illinois State
12.Richmond
13.Stony Brook
14.App state
15.Northern Arizona
16.Sam Houston State
17.Wagner
18.Eastern Illinois
19.Bethune-cookman
20.Colgate
Discuss
Football Gameplan’s NCAA FCS Week 10 Preview – Eastern Washington vs Cal Poly
What did we learn? Week 5
Well boys and girls sorry for not writing I know your lives are worse off of because of it, here are my thoughts on the past couple of weeks of FCS football.
Eastern Washington, while I was skeptical at first after their Idaho win, they beat an already reeling Grizz team, which ovbiously puts the eagles in the driver seat for the Big Sky title and top four slot, their only true test yet coming in Bozeman against Montana State on Oct. 13
Despite playing a vanilla schedule the NDSU bison came into the dome and made the Panthers pay for their tough schedule by sending the Panthers to 0-4 in DI compeition. The Bison looked legit on both sides of the ball while the panthers looked tired and made mistakes that cost them the game because of those mistakes. The Bison host the up and rising Youngstown State in the Fargodome for homecoming then the ever dangerous Sycamores also in the dome for the true meat of their schedule.
The Citadel played lke the Citadel of old when they turned out a terrible effort against a Moc team that brought their A game and earned a W against the Bulldogs, leaving Wofford as the only unbeaten in Socon play.
the CAA, what to say just wow, it is all over the place there is a Reason the CAA has been so dominant recently is that any given saturday case in point UNH over UD this weekend.
Sorry for you ECB but it is what it is, sending me your own thoughts and I will use it to exppand the East coast.
Now what did we learn? Parts 1 and 2
Hello anyone who reads this, my humblest apologies for failing to write last week, I could afford any number of excuses, but they are just that excuses. So here is a double hit for you this week boys and girls.
1. Week 1 we learned that YSU may be finally putting it all together this year after throttling FBS Pittsburgh. UNI came out very strong against what was supposed to be a good Wisconsin team. Bad thing for both UNI and YSU is those games were put into question as both team lost in Week 2(Wisconsin to an average-looking Oregon State team and Pitt to a improving Cincy team)
OK so its late and I haven’t surfed the net in a few days so I am a bit behind, but after looking at some things it is shaping up to be a very interesting year in the FCS. The MVC looks like it will come down to 5 teams vying for the title with a resurgent Illinois state team coming on strong after last years disappointing season, and of course Indiana State ,UNI, YSU and NDSU looking strong as well.
In the Big Sky the Bobcats of MSU did not look impressive in their win against Drake, however like most teams its the beginning of the year, however the Big Sky will once again be a tight race with the ever present Montana, and Eastern Washington who was only narrowly defeated by FBS Washington State, but did take down FBS/FCS wannabe Idaho. Sacramento State upset Pac-12 Colorado this weekend, which is a huge boost for the Hornets as the only remaining road test for the Hornet will be against EWU on the 20th of October.
The socon to an interesting turn this weekend, App State Went out in the FCS Game of the week and beat a Montana team that looks to continue on the Montana path of always being strong. However its the surprise upset of Georgia Southern by the Citadel that has GSU and Furman who lost to Samford in week one and Coastal Carolina on the bottom looking up at a Strong looking SOCON. The eagles are lucky in that they get perennial SOCON powers Wofford and App State at home. The Eagles visit Furman on Oct 20th.
The Terriers have gotten to take it easy the last two weeks, and have a tough five game stretch starting Oct. 6 hosting Furman, then on the road at APP State and Georgia Southern in consecutive weeks, followed by hosting the Citadel and on the road against Samford.Looking for that to be the decisive stretch for the terriers.
In the Colonial New Hampshire looked down right awful against a so-so Minnesota team(I actually watched that game) Other than that it seems as though the colonial will be as up for grabs as anyone, as of this point no one setting themselves apart(except for Georgia State)
Well there you have it my thoughts on what I have seen and read, see ya later in the week GO FCS!
Top 25 Summary 10/17
Rob Weiss, FCS Update
1. Richmond Spiders at Maine Black Bears
My Prediction: Richmond 38 Maine 17
Reality: Richmond 38 Maine 21
Pretty close on this prediction. Richmond didn’t show up for the first half but put the Black Bears away in the second half. No one has had an easy time in Orono this season.
2. Northern Iowa Panthers vs. 5. Southern Illinois Salukis
My Prediction: Northern Iowa 38 Southern Illinois 35
Reality: Southern Illinois 27 Northern Iowa 20
Not the offensive shootout I was predicting. This was a typical game in this series, other than the fact that the visiting team won for the first time in 13 games. The Southern Illinois offense was clicking for most of the game and had great special teams. The Panther defense held their own (1 TD was an INT return, and another was after a special teams fumble on the UNI 7). I look for both of these teams to make the quarterfinals this year.
3. New Hampshire Wildcats at 20. Massachusetts Minutemen
My Prediction: New Hampshire 27 Massachusetts 21
Reality: Massachusetts23 New Hampshire 17
What a crazy game?! New Hampshire drove in the last minute to the UMass 13, but couldn’t score. I expected this game to be close, but not come down to the last play. UMass is fighting their way back into playoff contention. 5 CAA teams looks like a lock at this point. 6 might be a possibility.
4. Montana Grizzlies vs. 21. Eastern Washington Eagles
My Prediction: Montana 35 Eastern Washington 28
Reality: Montana 41 Eastern Washington 34
Not too far off on this one. Montana pulls off the 7 pt win. Montana faces Weber State on Halloween. Should be a shootout.
5. Southern Illinois Salukis at 2. Northern Iowa Panthers
see 2. Northern Iowa Panthers
6. Villanova Wildcats at 19. James Madison Dukes
My Prediction: James Madison 24 Villanova 20
Reality: Villanova 27 James Madison 0
Way off on this one. Apparently James Madison forgot they had a game today. Very suprising with the way they’ve played everyone else this season. Good bounce back for Villanova.
7. William & Mary Tribe BYE
8. Elon Phoenix BYE
9. Central Arkansas Bears vs. 16. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
My Prediction: Central Arkansas 34 Stephen F. Austin 31
Reality: Stephen F. Austin 33 Central Arkansas 30
Close game as predicted, different winner. Stephen F Austin puts themselves in the driver’s seat for the SLC autobid.
10. Appalachian State Mountaineers at Wofford Terriers
My Prediction: Appalachian State 35 Wofford 10
Reality: Appalachian State 44 Wofford 34
Much closer game than predicted. App St stays undefeated in SoCon play.
11. South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. North Dakota State Bison
My Prediction: South Dakota State 35 North Dakota State 17
Reality: South Dakota State 28 North Dakota State 13
North Dakota State continues their slide. Jackrabbits face Northern Iowa in a game that could end the playoff hopes of the loser.
12. Jacksonville State Gamecocks BYE
13. South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. 22. Florida A&M Rattlers
My Prediction: South Carolina State 24 Florida A&M 14
Reality: South Carolina State 35 Florida A&M 20
Bulldogs are on their way to the playoffs. No one else should stand in their way.
14. Weber State Wildcats vs Sacremento State Hornets
My Prediction: Weber State 24 Sacremento State 14
Reality: Weber State 49 Sacremento State 10
The Wildcats win by a much larger margin that I predicted. Montana game is looming large in two weeks. Loss to Montana State could haunt them.
15. McNeese State Cowboys vs. Northwestern State Demons
My Prediction: McNeese 38 Northwestern State 7
Reality: McNeese 51 Northwestern State 23
Much higher scoring than I figured. McNeese stays in the playoff hunt.
16. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at 9. Central Arkansas Bears
see 9. Central Arkansas Bears
17. Cal Poly Mustangs
My Prediction: Southern Utah 24 Cal Poly 21
Reality: Cal Poly 24 Southern Utah 23
Great game, came down to the wire. Cal Poly stays on top of the Great West.
18. Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens at Towson Tigers
My Prediction: Delaware 35 Towson 13
Reality: Delaware 49 Towson 21
Delaware is really clicking now. Fighting for the 5th CAA bid.
19. James Madison Dukes vs. 6. Villanova Wildcats
See 6. Villanova Wildcats
20. Massachusetts Minutemen vs. 3. New Hampshire Wildcats
See 3. New Hampshire Wildcats
21. Eastern Washington Eagles at 4. Montana Grizzlies
See 4. Montana Grizzlies
22. Florida A&M Rattlers at 13. South Carolina State Bulldogs
See 13. South Carolina State Bulldogs
23. Colgate Raiders vs. Georgetown
My Prediction: Colgate 28 Georgetown 3
Reality: Colgate 31 Georgetown 14
A little bit closer than I thought. Same result.
24. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Portland State Vikings
My Prediction: Northern Arizona 38 Portland State 14
Reality: Northern Arizona 44 Portland State 23
The Lumberjacks are in the hunt for a playoff bid. 2nd place in the Big Sky should get them there.
25. Furman Paladins vs. Samford Bulldogs
My Prediction: Samford 24 Furman 17
Reality: Furman 26 Samford 24
Furman keeps their playoff hopes alive.
My record this week: 10-6
On the season: 23-10
Top 25 Predictions: Week 7
Rob Weiss, FCS Update
1. Richmond Spiders at Maine Black Bears
Richmond will be too much for an up and down Maine team.The Spiders continue the longest winning streak in FCS football.
Richmond 38 Maine 17
2. Northern Iowa Panthers vs. 5. Southern Illinois Salukis
Another classic MVFC battle in Cedar Falls. Last Saluki win in the UNI-Dome was 1983. I think the streak continues.
Northern Iowa 38 Southern Illinois 35
3. New Hampshire Wildcats at 20. Massachusetts Minutemen
New Hampshire is riding high off of a Homecoming victory over a highly ranked Villanova squad. Massachusetts is on the other end of the spectrum after a blowout loss to Delaware. Massachusetts is looking for a Homecoming win of their own, but they come up just short.
New Hampshire 27 Massachusetts 21
4. Montana Grizzlies vs. 21. Eastern Washington Eagles
The Griz take on their 2nd Top 25 opponent in a row. EWU comes into the game with a high powered offense. The Griz have shown they can win close games and I think they’ll pull out another win.
Montana 35 Eastern Washington 28
5. Southern Illinois Salukis at 2. Northern Iowa Panthers
see 2. Northern Iowa Panthers
6. Villanova Wildcats at 19. James Madison Dukes
Villanova is on the road against a ranked team for the 2nd week in a row. Last weekend they couldn’t get past an undefeated New Hampshire squad. James Madison almost took down defending champion, Richmond. JMU is at home and due for the big win.
James Madison 24 Villanova 20
7. William & Mary Tribe BYE
8. Elon Phoenix BYE
9. Central Arkansas Bears vs. 16. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Easily the game of the week in the Southland Conference, this game has a lot riding on the line. Central Arkansas looks to continue it’s dominance of the SLC and prove that they deserve a Top 10 ranking, while SFA looks to prove that they are back and plan to contend for the automatic bid to the playoffs. Central Arkansas is too tough at home.
Central Arkansas 34 Stephen F. Austin 31
10. Appalachian State Mountaineers at Wofford Terriers
After an 0-2 start, the Mountaineers have won 3 straight. Wofford is down after a lot of injuries have hurt depth. The hurt continues for Wofford.
Appalachian State 35 Wofford 10
11. South Dakota State Jackrabbits vs. North Dakota State Bison
The Jackrabbits are riding high. Still undefeated in conference play heading into a tough stretch against NDSU and UNI. The Bison are off to one of their worst starts in years. One win on the year, big loss at home to UNI last week, and no Pat Paschall this week for the Bison. Jacks keep the Dakota Marker for the 3rd year in a row.
South Dakota State 35 North Dakota State 17
12. Jacksonville State Gamecocks BYE
13. South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. 22. Florida A&M Rattlers
Both teams are riding high. Each is 4-1 and 2-0 in the MEAC. Bulldogs have big game experience and homefield advantage. (read the full breakdown of this game on the FCS Update blog)
South Carolina State 24 Florida A&M 14
14. Weber State Wildcats vs Sacremento State Hornets
Weber State bounced back from their first conference loss last week with an 18-point win over Eastern Washington. Sacremento State has won two straight. The Hornets streak comes to an end.
Weber State 24 Sacremento State 14
15. McNeese State Cowboys vs. Northwestern State Demons
McNeese State took a hit to their playoff hopes last week, losing their first SLC game of the season to Stephen F Austin. The Cowboys look to roll over winless Northwestern State to get their playoff train back on track.
McNeese 38 Northwestern State 7
16. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at 9. Central Arkansas Bears
see 9. Central Arkansas Bears
17. Cal Poly Mustangs
Cal Poly comes home after losing to Montana last week. Southern Utah is much improved with 2 FBS losses and a close loss to 24. Northern Arizona. I think SUU pulls the upset.
Southern Utah 24 Cal Poly 21
18. Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens at Towson Tigers
Delaware looks to claw it’s way back into the CAA race, as well as make a case for an at-large bid. Towson’s looking to turn things around. It’ll be a little longer Tiger fans.
Delaware 35 Towson 13
19. James Madison Dukes vs. 6. Villanova Wildcats
See 6. Villanova Wildcats
20. Massachusetts Minutemen vs. 3. New Hampshire Wildcats
See 3. New Hampshire Wildcats
21. Eastern Washington Eagles at 4. Montana Grizzlies
See 4. Montana Grizzlies
22. Florida A&M Rattlers at 13. South Carolina State Bulldogs
See 13. South Carolina State Bulldogs
23. Colgate Raiders vs. Georgetown
Colgate stays undefeated, Georgetown stays winless.
Colgate 28 Georgetown 3
24. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Portland State Vikings
Northern Arizona looks to prove they belong in the Top 25. Portland State looks to get on the winning track. Lumberjacks prove themselves.
Northern Arizona 38 Portland State 14
25. Furman Paladins vs. Samford Bulldogs
Samford is on the edge of falling out of the playoff hunt. Furman isn’t too far behind. The Paladins need to win this one. but they won’t.
Samford 24 Furman 17
……and hack away at it.